a - poured a one finger thick fizzy, eggshell-colored head into a tulip glass that left a thin ring which barely cared to stay around. the body was a hazy orange-amber color.s - nothing but sugar.t - tastes like they added a bunch of candy sugar to the boil. there is a hint of belgian yeast flavor.m - medium and slick.o - awful. did not even finish it.

Holy Mackerel Special Golden Ale (reviewed a 2008 bottle) has a thin, cream-colored head and a very opaque, apricot-orange appearance. One can see quite a bit of bubbles streaming up the sides of the glass. The aroma is of sweet, candy-like filling, caramel, butter, dough, and other things I can not identify. The flavor is of nut shell, sweet dough, candy-caramel filling, fruit-cake, orange peel, and other unknown items. There is no bitterness present here, nor is alcohol detected in the aroma or flavor. Mouthfeel is medium, and Holy Mackerel Special Golden Ale finishes wet, mild, sweet, mellow, and shockingly drinkable. This is unique, interesting, and good. I rate it at least excellent.

The slight, white froth quickly appears and diminishes over a clear orange beer that becomes hazy as the bottom yeast enters the Dogfish Head snifter. A viscous film coats upon swirling while a glow from within backlights minimal yeast in suspension.

This one is sweet, similar to a Reisling white wine. One can clearly pick out apples, crisp cider, honey and assorted spices.

Sweetness dominates with just enough bitterness to keep it drinkable. Crisp apple juice with some spices linger throughout. Overall, there is a light, sour tang in the finish. This one warms to bring out more wine-like flavors as well as peach and apricot.

The texture is full and supple, reminiscent of fresh peach juice. The carbonation is light while the alcohol is as expected.

I would consider this a dessert beer and, if one were to use a wide interpretation of style, I could understand it as a Strong Pale Ale. Nevertheless, it was enjoyable.

The label states 2009. If this is true, my bottle had three years of age. The above ratings are clearly my personal taste, not by style.

The pour was a hazy golden amber with a small (less than 1 finger) white creamy head that reduced quickly down to a thin puddle and a small collar with good sheets of lacing.

The aroma was of a light bread malt and a sweaty Belgian yeast with notes of citrus (lemon), banana, apple, pears, cherry, honey and a slight alcohol tinge.

The taste was mildly sweet and a tad acidic with hints of banana, honey and apple early on with the finish being yeasty, spicy and a bit sour with a mild citrus presence and a moderate fruity ester towards the end. The flavor lasted an average time following the swallow with the mildly tart fruity alcohol taste left to fade away slowly.

Mouthfeel was a few steps above light in body with a watery texture and a lively carbonation.

Overall a nice fruity Belgian Ale with a huge alcohol presence at the finish...